Brush with fountain pressure supply and soap chamber



April 4, 1950 K. FRANKLIN ETAL 2,502,937

i BRUSH WITH FOUNTAIN PRESSURE SUPPLY AND SOAP CHAMBER Filed July 5, 1947 I 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Mug :1 f i N v ,I, INVENTORS.

LESTER K'FRA/VKL/N JOE MERGl-IAS/IV /Mg I Apnl 4, 1950 K. FRANKLIN ET AL 2,502,937

BRUSH WITH FOUNTAIN PRESSURE SUPPLY AND SOAP CHAMBER Filed July 5, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 6 $m1|||r-|n 6 INVENTOR. LESTER K. FRANKLIN JOE MERGHAS/N (fa M Patented Apr. 4, 1950 BRUSH WIT FOUNTAIN PRESSURE SUPPLY AND SOAP CHAMBER Lester K. Franklin, Los Angeles, and Joe Merchasin, Burbank, Calif., assignfl fS to L. K. Franklin Corporation, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application July 5, 1947, Serial No. 759,212

2 Claims. 1

This invention refers to brushes for cleaning articles, and more particularly to those including flowing water and detergents available in their structures.

In a particular form of water brush or washer unit, the water is derived from a hose connected to the brush at one end and to a water service at the other. The brush is utilized in the usual manner for brushing the article to be cleaned while the water flows through the bristles of the brush and removes the particles of dirt. As no control is offered to the flow of water during the brushing, the water passes through unrestrictedly. Any soap or detergent required, has to be applied independently. This has the disadvantage of requiring the operator to work with the soap or the detergent individually, and involves two separate operations and changeovers. time taken is therefore the amount involved during soaping plus that of the water cleaning period plus the time for the changeovers. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved water brush or washer unit that will avoid one or more of the disadvantages and limitations of the prior art. Of course, its use of water is mentioned, because that is the most common medium available and desirable, but other fluid mediums having suitable characteristics for cleaning could be likewise used, and such use of mediums is deemed to be included in the scope of this invention.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved water brush or Washer unit that uses flowing water that can apply detergents to the surfaces being cleaned from the same brush structure.

An additional object of the herein described invention is to provide a new and improved water applying brush or washer unit that will have manual controls in its structure for the water and detergents used therewith in cleaning the articles in question.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a new and improved water brush or washer unit that will be compact and easily manipulated by hand, while its arrangement will be particularly effective for cleaning purposes.

Other objects will become evident as the invention is further detailed.

For a better understanding of the invention, its principles and functions reference is made to the appended drawings, which together with the following specification outline a particular form of. the invention by way of example. The scope.

of the invention is emphasized in the claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a water brush unit with some portions sectioned to show the internal structure and embodying this invention; the controls are positioned with the water valve open and allowing clear water to flow through the center hole;

Figure 2 is a plan view lookingupat the underside of the brush shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a side elevation in section through the brush proper, while the water valve is closedv and the detergent valve is open to allow the detergent to flow through the brush bristles;

Figure 4 is a transverse section of brush along line 4,--4 of Figure 1; the bristles being omitted from the drawing to make it clearer;

Figure 5 is a detail of the valve cylinder shown in Figure 1 with a portion about its gasket being sectioned to allow the full structure of this cylinder to be appreciated;

Figure 6 is a view taken along the line 6-45" of Figure 5 to show how the water is fed through the valve cylinder and out center hole through an annular slot; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view along the line 3- of Figure 1.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

For conveniently referring to the parts of the unit, it is assumed that the handle portion is uppermost and the brushes at the bottom.

In the structure shown in the drawings, a hose ll] of flexible material has a coupling ll at one end for attaching it to a water service spigot;

or other connection supplying the water for cleaning purposes. The other end portion l2- of thehose is inserted into a hollow handle 13 and expanded over a water tube l4, inside. andfitting the entrance passage l5. The tube [4 extends from the housing [6 of a brush, in which it is fitted. It is fitted into the stub I! in a cylindrical recess therein. The exterior of the stub i! has screw-threads l8 formed thereon which serve to cooperate with internal screwthreads [9 in the end portion 20 of the handle I3 attached to the stub H. The handle 13 is tapered internally and externally towards its outer end. Internally a chamber 2 I is provided and serves as a reservoir for anywater that may leak from between the hose Ill and the tube l4 and thereby protect the hands of the user.

The housing or body I6 has a closed bell-like contour tapering to an apexed upper'head 22 from which the stub ll extends laterally and angularly. A chamber 23 givesit the bell-like contour and its wall is screw-threaded as shown in the head portion 22 to take an externally screw-threaded partition plate 24 that closes a valve operating chamber 25. At the widened end portion of the chamber 23, the wall 25 is screw-threaded internally at 38 to receive a circular brushcap 21. The cap 21 closes over the lower portion of the chamber 23. This cap 21 is arranged with a circular row of bristle groups spaced adjacent the peripheral rounded edge 29 of the cap 21. The groups are arranged with their bristles 30 adjacently touching, and surrounding an orifice 3| provided in the central portion, and which is preferably, relatively small and bevelled. The groups 30 are fitted into recesses 33 of circular form large enough to hold them securely from falling out. The holes 34 are in the thickened portion 35 of the cap and adjacent the circular flange 36 that is peripherally screw-threaded at 31 and engaged into the internal threads 38. The middle area of the cap 21 is cupped upwardly by the vertically extending wall 39 of a ring-like contour and surrounding the orifice 3|. This cup 39 has a valve cylinder 40 extended into it so that its gasketed end portion 4| can travel up and down therein during its opening and closing strokes, without becoming detached therefrom. A ledge 42 on the cap 21 is provided for covering the edge 43 of the housing, with the resilient bumper gasket 44 in between. This gasket 44, prevents leakage from the housing chamber 23. The handle thus formed is very convenient to manipulate and hold. The upwardly slanting position of the handle with respect to the plane of the bristles enables the brush to be effectively used with deep dishes, as well as flat ones, and provide proper pressure by the hand for the purpose.

The valve cylinder 4!! extends vertically through the chambers 23 and 25 into each close fitting passage 45 which acts as a guide to its travel. A gasket 46 is inserted in a peripheral recess 41 to make the cylinder water tight in the upper passage 45. A flanged valve 48 of circular form is tightly attached to the periphery of the cylinder 40 and is covered by resilient gasket material 49, all of which are located in the chamber 25. The top surface of the partition plate 24 acts as a valve seat for the valve gasket 43. The partition plate 24 has an inlet opening 50 at its central portion through which the cylinder 4!] passes, with ample space around it. The opening 50 allows the water to enter the detergent chamber 23. The cylinder 40 is moved up and down through the arcuate movement and incidental pressure of the knob 50 of a pivoted control member 5|. The member is pivoted on a pin 52 passing through a post 53 on the top part of the cylinder. The member has a cam 54 formed on its lower section and engaging the surface 55 of a recess 55 in which it operates. Pressure on the member 5| arcuately moves it towards the handle l3 and allows the valve cylinder 40 to rise and compress a coiled spring 66 mounted on a boss 51 within the chamber 25 and pressing resiliently against the upper surface of the gasket 49 attached to the cylinder 40. Removal of the pressure on the member 5| permits the spring to return the cylinder 40 to the position closing inlet 50 as shown in Figure 1, from the open inlet 50 position shown in Figure 3.

The cylinder 40 has a relatively large axial passage 6| within it that opens into the cup 53 4 at its lower end and is closed at the upper end. A lateral slot 58 forming an inlet port, is cut into the cylinder to permit water coming from the hose I0, through the tube I4 and entrance opening or throat I59 into the chamber 25 to enter the passage 6| and through it and the hole 3| provided the cylinder 40 is in the position shown in Figure 1. The slot or port 58 is closed over when it rises within the cylinder 40 into the passage 45 of the boss 51, by the wall inside. In this instance the water from the hose is shut off from the chamber 23 and the brush groups 30 as the water cannot get through the port 58 to the orifice 3|. The clear water gets to the brushes by passing through the orifice 3| to the surface of the article being cleaned and then flowing across the article until the brushes 3|] get mixed up in it and are cleaned of the soapy water and rinse the article.

When the cylinder 40 is raised to position shown in Figure 3, the port or annular slot '58 is closed and the port 50 is opened. In this position the detergent material within the chamber 23 is put under hydraulic pressure by the water from the hose and a quantity is forced out between the bristles 30. The detergent passes through the holes 34 until a sufficient quantity is dispensed. Then the member 5| is released so the valve cylinder 40 will return to the position shown in Figure 1. In this position, the water flows through the orifice 3| and mixes with the soaped bristles 30 and used to clean off the surfaces of the articles and rinse same. This is because the cylinder 40 is down as in Figure l and the fluid from the hose flows through the chamber 25, port 58, passage 6| to the orifice 3| and out thereof by reason of the position of the valves.

The device has several features that make it valuable to the user. The handle enables it to be held conveniently and give the desired cleaning or rubbing .pressure to the article being cleaned. The valve knob 60 is placed so that it may be readily actuated by the thumb of the hand holding the handle |3. The flanged and gasketed plate 48 and gasket 49 forms an effec-: tive control for the port opening 50 through which the Water from the hose can enter to exert pressure on the detergent within the chamber 23. This pressure forces the detergent through the brushes where it can be effectively utilized. The gasket 44 not only acts as a bumper to lessen damage should the device be struck against anything breakable but also as a gasket. The large axial-passage 6| in the valve cylinder 40 forms a reservoir that makes the flow of water through the orifice 3| more uniform and keeps a supply running out for a short while after the port 58 is closed. This keeps the brushes wet while the detergent is being bydraulically pushed through from the chamber 23. The unit is particularly suitable for wash-.

ing dishes and other small articles, as well as large flat surfaces (in its present form as shown).

Access may be had to all parts and replacement is accomplished conveniently and easily. It works automatically, and requires the use of only one hand of the operator, and that hand is not in his way. His view is not obstructed. He can readily observe what he is doing and what the use of the brush unit is accomplishing. All the parts are rounded to make it more serviceable and give it an aesthetic appearance. As it is attached to any convenient faucet or spigot, it

16 can make good use of. theJWater applied to the unit by diverting it under pressure where its effects are most useful. The circular arrangement of the brushes 30 also enable a bar of soap to be enclosed within the circular area they circumscribe, while the device is being used. This is particularly desirable where such a soap is of different composition, to that in the chambers 23 and 25. Thus the soap in the chambers could be a vegetable oil type, while the second could be of a gritty or whiting nature, both cooperating the work of cleaning the dishes or pans where the removal of the soil is unusually hard.

While but one general form of the invention is shown in the drawings and described in the specifications, it is not desired to limit this application for patent to this particular form or in any other way otherwise than limited by the scope thereof, as it is appreciated that other forms of construction could be made that would use the same principles and come within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. A portable washer unit, comprising in combination, a housing of bell-like form having its exterior upper portion tapering to the top with a recess formed therein, and a cylindrical passage extending axially down through to the open portion of the housing, a cammed knob operable in said recess, a handle extending upwardl and angularly from said housing adjacent said knob and having a chamber therein taperingtoward the outer end of the handle, a tube in said chamber and attached to said housing with access to the bell portion thereof, said tube being of a size and form to provide a space about it in said chamber, a hose having one end portion mounted on said tube and terminating in said chamber making a nonleakable connection with the handle, the opposite end of the hose being adapted for connection to a water service, a partition in said bell of the housing to separate into a lower and upper compartment in the housing, said upper compartment connected to said passage, and having a valve port opening in the partition opening from one compartment to the other, a brush cap adjustably mounted on said housing to close off its bell and perforated to permit the passage of water and detergent to flow from the housing therethrough, and including a circular group of brushes extending down from its exterior sur face with the perforations leading into an area that they encompass, a hollow cylinder extending from said passage to said cap and adapted to operate reciprocatingly therein and including a valve thereon for opening and closing said port, said knob being adapted to operate the cylinder and control the valve whereby the water from the hose can be alternately switched from the bell in the housing to the exterior of the cap in said area and to the bell with detergent therein to pass through said brushes, and a resilient bumper peripherally mounted in said housing, and held there by said cap for protecting the unit when it strikes surfaces in its path.

2. A brush unit of the class described comprising a housing, a hollow handle extending angularly from the upper portion of said housing, a hose attached to the end of the handle to supply fluid under pressure to said housing through said handle, a plurality of brushes secured to the lower end of said housing, said housing having a plurality of chambers therein, a reciprocable valve in said housing for controlling fluid communication between said chambers and said brushes, and a handle for operating said valve, said valve operating handle being in proximity to and extending in the general direction of said first mentioned handle, whereby the brush unit may be held in and operated by a single hand of the user, said valve comprising a hollow vertical element having ports in communication with said hollow handle, said chambers in the housing being separated by a, partition having a central opening therein through which said element extends, and said element carrying an annular gasket adapted to control said opening.

LESTER K. FRANKLIN. JOE MERCHASIN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Ellinger Apr. 28, 1942 

